From a conservative perspective, the devastating attack at a concert hall in the Moscow, Russia, area that left over 60 people dead and nearly 150 injured on Friday has been claimed by ISIS. Gunmen in combat gear stormed the Crocus City Hall, where concertgoers were gathering to hear the Russian band Picnic, and opened fire, throwing explosives inside the concert hall and setting the building ablaze.
60 dead, 145 injured in Russian concert attack claimed by ISIS https://t.co/PTwst64YMO
— Fox News (@FoxNews) March 23, 2024
As people were being evacuated, some remained trapped inside the burning building. ISIS claimed responsibility on its affiliated social media channels, and the U.S. confirmed the claim. Russian officials initially investigated the incident as a terrorist attack but did not specify who was responsible.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin called the attack a “huge tragedy,” while former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev threatened retaliation against Ukraine if it was found to be connected to the “Kiev regime.” The attack occurred shortly after President Vladimir Putin’s reelection and amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Multiple gunmen dressed in combat fatigues carried out a mass shooting at a concert Hall in Moscow, Russia on Friday, injuring dozens. This comes just weeks after the Russian government claimed to have stopped a terrorist attack at a synagogue, and warned that an ISIS cell is… pic.twitter.com/8fafHQtJx9
— KaushikPaavni (@kaushikk270) March 23, 2024
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy denied any Ukrainian involvement before ISIS claimed responsibility. He warned that the attack would likely lead to increased military propaganda, militarization, and mobilization in Russia, as well as justification for further attacks on Ukraine.
Strategic military intelligence analyst Rebekah Koffler stated that Putin had been briefed on the attack and given instructions to law enforcement and security services. Before ISIS claimed responsibility, Russian officials were already blaming the attack on Ukraine.
In response to the attack, the Russian Culture Ministry canceled all mass and entertainment events in the area, and restrictive measures were introduced in several regions.
